California to release 9,500 inmates in 4 years to reduce prison population

Don Thompson | AP

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California corrections officials say they are adopting new sentencing rules that aim to trim the state prison population by nearly 9,500 inmates after four years.

The regulations released Friday include steps like reducing sentences up to six months for earning a college degree and by up to a month each year for participating in self-help programs like drug counseling.

The changes eventually lower the prison population by about 7 percent.